San Francisco's Best Neighborhood Bar

Festive pub and sports bar spreads Irish cheer in the Marina.

Reviews:

• “Best Bar in the Marina!!”
• “Classy yet homey”
• “Great neighborhood bar and great staff”
• “Beware of warm beer”
• “Best place in the Marina!”

Tips: Call about comedy nights, DJs and live music events.

Kelley’s Tavern

A hidden bar with an outdoor sculpture garden in Bernal Heights.

Reviews:

• “Secret Gem: Bernal Heights Local Hangout”
• “confused about this place”
• “Great scene”
• “Great atmosphere”
• “Best Unexplored Lesbian Bar”

Tips: There are often mosquitoes in the garden. You may consider wearing bug repellent or sitting next to someone smoking.

Wild Side West

Daily specials entice flirtatious singles at this swamped Cow Hollow bar.

Reviews:

• “Great Service, Great Fun and Very Client Focused”
• “Favorite late night hang out”
• “Neighborhood institution! Great place to meet friends!”
• “Hottest bartender on Tues”
• “Best Place to Chill”

Tips: An American menu with offerings like burgers and salads is available (Monday, Wednesday-Friday 5pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday 12pm-10pm). On Tuesdays, only tacos, fajitas and quesadillas are offered (5pm-10pm).

The Blue Light or email The Blue Light

An elegantly appointed, retro lounge ticking to the time of the Eisenhower hour.

Reviews:

• “most welcoming neighborhood bar”
• “I like it here”
• “Avoid, Boring, Messy”
• “Great Neighborhood Bar”
• “Let me say….then……..”

Tips: This is a cocktail-oriented bar, featuring drinks like a guava drop, but happy hour (Mon-Fri, 4pm-6pm) features $3 tap beers: Sierra Nevada, Widmer Hefeweizen or Stella Artois.

Tony Niks or email Tony Niks

A Pac Heights den slinging specialty cocktails spiked with freshly squeezed juice.

Reviews:

• “Dansbee1 you make me sick”
• “great mojitos”
• “Once a gay bar, now infected with straight people”
• “The Lion Pub is a Gift to San Francisco”
• “What happened to the Gay ’90’s?”

Tips: Under the TV (showing sports on “mute”), a complimentary plate of cheese, crackers and olives is set out nightly.

Lion Pub

A casual Noe Valley den with an extensive martini menu, fireplace and DJs.

Reviews:

• “This really isn’t for locals, is it”
• “Not as advertised, offensively loud”
• “A Diamond In The Rough”
• “Gotta Have a Mojito!”
• “OK music, OK martinis, Killer Bellinis”

Tips: Arrive early and snag the romantic table for two near the fireplace.

Bliss Bar or email Bliss Bar

Revelers sip Toasted Marshmallows at this Tender Nob camp bar.

Reviews:

• “BIGFOOT LODGE”
• “Great idea!”
• “Best. Bartenders. Ever.”
• “David Lynch’s Twin Peaks”
• “Wow”

Tips: Daily happy hour specials (Mon-Fri 3pm-8pm; Sat-Sun 12am-8pm) feature $3 well drinks and $1 off all other drinks.

Bigfoot Lodge or email Bigfoot Lodge

Award-winning cocktails, a neighborhood vibe and eco-sensibility—it’s the only green-certified bar in the city—at this Mission bar.

Reviews:

• “great during the day; loud and crowded at night and during sports events”
• “Best Damn Boody Mary I’ve ever tasted”
• “Very friendly staff, but Elixir is dead most nights”
• “Great Classic San Francisco Bar”
• “Great beers on tap”

Tips: Debit cards are accepted, but there’s a $20 minimum purchase. An ATM machine is located inside the bar.

ELIXIR or email ELIXIR

Unlike other bar/restaurants near the ballpark area, Nova is a casual neighborhood spot that caters to locals.

Reviews:

• “Happy hour with great food”
• “Quality Ambiance, Food & Service”
• “best Sunday brunch”
• “NO 50 Cent Wings, Bad Service”
• “Great Bloody Mary’s, nice/cute staff”

Tips: Happy hour (Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm) features $3 beers, $5 wines, $4 well drinks.

Nova Bar & Restaurant or email Nova Bar & Restaurant

A friendly attitude, no-frills vibe, cheap drinks and classic pub grub keep regulars coming back to this happy hour favorite.

Reviews:

• “my spiritual home”
• “Typical Dive Bar”
• “Great neighborhood bar”

Tips: This downtown bar is a popular place for laid-back post-work drinks.

Dave’s or email Dave’s

Pretense-free neighborhood bar in the Tenderloin.

Reviews:

• “Ridiculously nice people…”
• “I LOVE THIS PLACE.”
• “Best spot to hang!”
• “Great Neighborhood Bar”
• “Can’t Get Enough of This Place”

Tips: Happy hour runs all day and night here with $3 well drinks anytime.

Aces Bar

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